Columbia Security deposits ordinance (§ 27-20)

(a) Each new customer shall be required to make a security deposit as a condition of service.

(1) Customers requesting services to a one-family dwelling or one-family unit of a larger residential building shall deposit the following amounts for receiving utility services:

a. Electrical service .....$75.00

b. Water service .....25.00

c. Sewer service .....45.00

d. Refuse service .....20.00 At the discretion of the finance director, the security deposit may be waived upon the customer establishing one (1) year (twelve (12) consecutive months) good credit or furnishing a letter of good credit from the customer's previous utility provider. The finance director will maintain a written policy that defines good credit.

(2) When more than one of the above services is requested, the amount of the deposit shall be the total amount of the fees shown for the services requested. The finance director may also increase security deposits for residential accounts to minimize the city's risks where appropriate.

(b) A residential landlord requesting services for a rental unit must provide proof of a valid certificate of compliance from the community development department for each property. The landlord shall make a standard security deposit for each rental unit for which the landlord has utility services with the city at the rates noted in section 27-20(a)(1), or may apply to participate in the Landlord Reversion Program

(LLRP) as follows:

(1) Residential landlord participation in the Landlord Reversion Program (LLRP) requires completion of the LLRP application and written acknowledgement of the terms of the agreement as defined by the finance director. The maximum amount of cash security deposits a residential landlord shall be required to make, regardless as to the number of rental units, is one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). At the discretion of the finance director, the customer may request the deposit be waived upon the customer establishing three (3) years (thirty-six (36) consecutive months) of good credit and timely payments with the City of Columbia. The finance director will maintain a written policy that defines "good credit."

(c) In order for customers to obtain service to a commercial establishment, a valid business license must be issued for that property address for any use other than single-family residential use, they shall be required to meet one (1) or both of the following provisions:

(1) Make a deposit based on twice the estimated amount of thirty (30) days' bill for those services requested for new accounts, and be adjusted to twice the actual average as necessary. The finance director may also increase security deposits for commercial accounts to minimize the city's risks where appropriate.

(2) Furnish equivalent bond or letter of credit.

At the discretion of the finance director, commercial security deposits may be waived upon the commercial customer having established a minimum of three (3) years' continuous timely payments.

(d) Service deposits may be transferred or applied to a new residence or business location if a customer moves. Adjustment shall be made if the amount of deposit is inadequate or excessive. (e)

The department may require an additional security deposit as a condition of continued service if, in an unauthorized manner, the customer interferes with or diverts the service of the utility situated on or about or delivered to the customer's premises. The department may require a signed application for service and additional security deposit from any customer giving false information to access City of Columbia Utility Services.

(f) No additional security deposit shall be required by the department on the basis of the customer's age, sex, race, creed, national origin, marital status, number of dependents, source of income, or geographical area of residence.

(g) Upon termination of service, the deposit shall be credited to the final bill and the balance, if any, shall be returned to the customer.

(h) At the discretion of the finance director, the security deposit may be waived upon the customer establishing one (1) year (twelve (12) consecutive months) good credit or furnishing a letter of good credit from the customer's previous utility provider. The finance director will maintain a written policy that defines good credit. Should the deposit be credited to a customer's account and the customer's services discontinued subsequently due to nonpayment, the customer will be required to make the proper security deposits in addition to other charges and fees as a requisite for resumption of services.

(i) The department shall maintain a record of all deposits received from customers, showing the name of each customer, the location of the premises occupied by the customer at the time the deposit was required and each successive location while the deposit is retained, and the date and amount of deposit.

(j) Each customer posting a security deposit shall receive in writing at the time of tender of deposit receipts as evidence thereof, which, where applicable, contains the following minimum information:

(1) Name of customer.

(2) Place of payment.

(3) Date of payment.

(4) Amount of payment for fees and deposits.

In addition, each customer shall sign a service agreement which states the terms and conditions governing the retention, payment and return of deposits.

(k) The department shall apply deposit standards uniformly as a condition of utility service to all customers.